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PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of fresh gander semen and its susceptibility to cryopreservation in six generations derived from geese inseminated with frozen-thawed semen.

The paper summarises seven years experiments designed to determine the effect of continuous insemination with frozen-thawed semen on fresh semen quality and sperm susceptibility to freezing stress in succeeding generations. During course of experiments, semen was collected from 10-12 White Koluda ganders at the age of 8-9 months, then subjected to freezing and used after thawing for insemination of 10 geese in order to obtain the subsequent generation of males. Semen was diluted 1 to 0.5 (v/v) with EK diluent, equilibrated for 15 min at +4 degrees C, mixed with 6 percent (v/v) of dimethyl-formamide (DMF), frozen to temp. -140 degrees C at a rate 60 degree C per min and then transferred into liquid nitrogen container. Semen samples were thawed prior to insemination in a 60 degree C water-bath. It is difficult to conclude whether freezing stress affected the fresh semen quality, since average volume of SQF (index comprising ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and percentage of live normal cells) varied between generations from 19.3 to 56.2. Continuous goose reproduction by insemination with frozen-thawed semen resulted in significant increase (P less than 0.01) in spermatozoa resistance to cryoinjury in every subsequent generation. In the relation to adequate fresh semen the percentage of live morphologically intact spermatozoa which withstood freezing procedure increased from 27.2 in first generation to 74.4 in sixth generation.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Secreted blood group substances: distributions in semen and stabilities in dried semen stains.

A sensitive microplate hemagglutination-inhibition technique has been used to ascertain the distributions of secreted blood group substances (BGS) in a population of 176 semen specimens and to characterize the stability of these substances in dried semen stains. The BGS concentrations in semen were found to vary throughout a wide range of titer. Despite this latitude of variation, the titers for the component BGS within the blood groups could be described by a log-normal distribution function. Studies of a number of sequential semen specimens obtained from the same donors revealed that the intraindividual variation in BGS titers was much more limited than the interindividual BGS titers. Attempts to correlate variations in titers between A and H in Group A semen or B and H in Group B semen indicated that the levels of these component substances vary independently. Studies of the stability of BGS in Groups A and O semen suggested that these substances were stable when the semen stains were stored at -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C, or at ambient laboratory temperature in a dry state. In contrast, stains stored at 37 degrees C under humid conditions suffered a dramatic loss in BGS titer, with the half-life of the BGS being on the order of 30 days.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Semen donor selection by in vitro sperm mobility increases fertility and semen storage in the turkey hen.

Commercial turkey production relies on the artificial insemination (AI) of pooled semen. However, semen quality ultimately depends on the quality of individual ejaculates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate semen from individual toms by means of an objective sperm-mobility assay. Semen was then pooled by mobility phenotype and inseminated into hens, and the percentages of fertile and hatched eggs were determined after egg incubation. To indirectly evaluate hens' sperm storage, we determined the number of sperm holes in the perivitelline layer (PL) of freshly laid eggs. Semen from individual ejaculates (two trials, total of 169 toms) was evaluated by use of the sperm-mobility test (SMT). Semen was diluted to 1 x 10(9) sperm/ml, in prewarmed N-tris-[hydroxymethyl] methyl-2-amino-ethanesulfonic acid (TES)-buffered saline, and was placed over 3 ml of a 2% (w/v) Accudenz solution at 41degrees C. After a 5-minute incubation period, the cuvette was placed in a densimeter, and percentage transmission was recorded after 1 minute. Semen samples from toms ranked, according to sperm mobility, in the highest 10% and the lowest 10%, after three evaluations, were pooled by group and were used to inseminate hens weekly (trial 1: n = 20 hens/group, for 10 weeks, AI dose 150 x 10(6) spermatozoa inseminated fresh and after 24-hour in vitro storage at 5 degrees C; trial 2: n = 60 hens/group, for 16 weeks, AI dose = 75 x 10(6) spermatozoa inseminated fresh). Each week, eggs from day 6 post-AI were evaluated for holes in the PL, vestiges of acrosomal induced hydrolysis. Spermatozoa from toms of different mobility phenotypes were also evaluated individually, for sperm chromatin structure and motility variables, by use of the Hobson Sperm Tracker. Toms characterized by high and low in vitro sperm-mobility phenotype were categorized as "high mobility" and "low mobility," respectively. The percentage of fertile eggs from hens inseminated with semen from the high-mobility toms was higher than the percentage of fertile eggs from the low-mobility group, in each trial (95.8+/-1.3% vs. 90.4+/-2.2%, and 88.7+/-4.0% vs. 82.4+/-0.4%, trials 1 and 2, respectively; P < 0.05). More sperm holes were observed in the PL of eggs fertilized by the high-mobility toms than in the PL of eggs fertilized by the low-mobility toms (P < 0.05). No differences in susceptibility of sperm nuclear DNA to denature in situ, as measured by the flow-cytometric sperm chromatin-structure assay, were detected between toms of differing mobility phenotypes. Sperm-motility variables, straight-line velocity, and average-path velocity were significantly greater for high-mobility toms compared to low-mobility toms (P < 0.05). Sperm-mobility differences between toms (detected by means of the SMT) influenced sperm storage, as indicated by the number of sperm in the PL and by the percentage of fertile eggs produced.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effects of age and environmental factors on semen production and semen quality of Austrian Simmental bulls.

More than 90% of the breeding stock of Austrian dual purpose Simmental cows is artificially inseminated. Knowledge of factors affecting sperm production and semen quality is of importance with regard to reproductive efficiency and thus genetic improvement as well as for the productivity and profitability of AI centers. Hence, semen data from two Austrian AI centres collected in the years 2000 and 2001 were evaluated. In total, 3625 and 3654 ejaculates from 147 and 127 AI bulls, respectively, were analysed regarding ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, percentage of viable spermatozoa in the ejaculate, total spermatozoa per ejaculate and motility. Effects accounted for were the bull (random), age of bull, collection interval, number of collection on collection day, bull handler, semen collector, temperature on day of semen collection, in the course of epididymal maturation (average temperature of days 1-11 before collection) and during spermatogenesis (average temperature of days 12-65 before collection). Age of bull significantly affected all traits (P<0.01 to P<0.001) except motility score in center 2. Ejaculate volume and total number of spermatozoa increased with age of bull while sperm concentration was lower in higher age classes (center 1). The collection team was also found to significantly influence semen quality traits. With increasing collection interval ejaculate volume and total number of spermatozoa increased significantly (P<0.05 to P<0.001) while collection intervals between 4-9 days and 1-6 days were superior with regard to sperm concentration and percentage of viable spermatozoa, respectively (P<0.10 to P<0.001). First ejaculates were superior with respect to ejaculate volumes, sperm concentrations and total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (P<0.001). Temperature, either on day of semen collection or during epididymal maturation or spermatogenesis, had important but inconsistent effects on semen production and sperm quality. Overall, however, ambient temperatures in the range of 5-15 degrees C were found to be optimal for semen production.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Immature germ cells in semen and their correlations with other semen parameters.

PURPOSE: The significance of the presence of leukocytes and immature germ cells in semen and other parameters of semen is currently a subject of controversy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen from 572 subfertile patients was analyzed according to WHO criteria and leukocytes as well as immature germ cells were assessed by identifying the round cells in semen by peroxidase staining. Microbiological investigation was carried out in cases with leukocyte counts of >1,000,000/ml. RESULTS: It was found that as the concentration of spermatozoa decreased the rate of immature germ cells increased and this increase was accompanied by a decrease in motility and in the number of spermatozoa with normal morphology. As the sperm count increased, motility, number of spermatozoa with normal morphology and of immature germ cells also increased whereas an increase in sperm motility was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology. Microbiological investigations were negative in patients with semen leukocyte counts of >l,000,000/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is possible to establish that the leukocyte and immature germ cell counts correlate with other parameters of semen, these correlations are not statistically significant. The most significant finding is that as the number of sperms decreases, the ratio of immature germ cells to total germ cells increases. While assessing immature germ cells instead of giving special attention to the number of immature germ cells in semen, the ratio of immature germ cells to total germ cells should be considered. The increase of leukocyte count in the semen of oligospermic patients may not always mean leukospermia.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Selenium, rubidium and zinc in human semen and semen fractions.

The levels of selenium, rubidium and zinc were determined in samples of semen, seminal plasma and spermatozoa from men with suspected infertility, together with several parameters of semen quality. The proportion of whole semen selenium present in sperm increased with increasing sperm count from 0 to 40%. For rubidium 98 +/- 4% and for zinc 95 +/- 8% of the total amount in semen was contained in seminal plasma. In seminal plasma a positive correlation was found between the levels of zinc and selenium, and between the levels of zinc and rubidium, indicating that, like zinc, selenium and rubidium in seminal plasma also derive mainly from the prostate gland. Semen quality parameters, such as sperm motility, vitality, speed and morphology, were not correlated with the contents of the three elements in either whole semen or seminal plasma. As the seminal content of selenium is dependent on the proportion of prostatic secretion in seminal plasma and on the sperm count, and both factors can vary considerably, the selenium level of whole semen does not appear to be a suitable parameter for investigation of the relationship between selenium and semen quality. Provisional measurements suggest lower sperm selenium levels at abnormally low or high sperm counts.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Perfluorochemical emulsions as turkey semen diluents: effects of varying aeration treatments and aqueous phase on fertilizing capacity of semen stored for twenty-four hours.

In a preliminary study, it was found that aeration of turkey semen diluted 1:2 with a phosphate buffer diluent (PD) and stored for 24 h at 12 to 13 C improved the fertilizing capacity relative to that obtained from PD-diluted semen that was not aerated (63.8 and 14.0%, respectively). Emulsifying PD with an equal volume of the oxygen carrier perfluorobutyltetrahydrofurane (FC-80) and using the resulting emulsion as a diluent further increased the fertility (86.6%), but the best fertility was from unstored, undiluted semen (98.0%). The efficacy of using emulsions of aqueous diluents with FC-80 for 24-h cold storage of turkey semen was studied in detail. When semen diluted with PD:FC-80 emulsions received varying levels of O2 for aeration, the fertilizing capacity of semen aerated with 60 or 100% O2 (86.1 and 89.6%, respectively) was significantly greater (P < or = .05) than that obtained using 20% oxygen (78.5%). The FC-80 emulsions that were made using commercially available diluents in place of the PD were tested with 100% O2 aeration during storage. The percentage fertility obtained from emulsions made with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender or Lake's 7.1 "mm" Diluent was significantly greater (P < or = .05) than that for PD or Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Extender (90.5 and 90.2% vs 77.6 and 72.6%, respectively). This research demonstrates that perfluorochemicals may be useful for cold storage of turkey semen when emulsified with optimum diluents and aerated with > or = 60% O2.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Preparation of oligozoospermic and/or asthenozoospermic semen for intrauterine insemination using the SpermPrep semen filtration column.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the quality of oligozoospermic and/or asthenozoospermic semen by the SpermPrep (Fertility Technologies Inc., Natick, MA) semen filtration column. DESIGN: The SpermPrep column was applied for semen manipulation in oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia (sperm count less than 20 x 10(6)/mL, sperm motility less than 40%). After concentration of motile sperm using a 40% Percoll density gradient centrifugation, the sperm suspension was filtered through the SpermPrep column. The percentage yield of motile sperm by the SpermPrep method was compared with those by a two-layer Percoll density gradient (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) centrifugation and a swim-up method. Infertile couples with poor quality semen were treated with intrauterine insemination (IUI) with motile sperm by the three preparations through three cycles. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one couples with long-standing infertility because of poor quality semen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Recovery of motile sperm, sperm motility, and outcome of IUI were evaluated among three semen preparations. RESULTS: Motility was improved by the SpermPrep method in 32 of 33 cases of oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia. Percentage yield of motile sperm by the SpermPrep method was significantly greater than those by the two-layer Percoll density gradient and swim-up methods (42.7 +/- 4.6 versus 22.1 +/- 3.1 and 13.8 +/- 3.5), but there is no significant difference in the sperm motility among three semen preparations. After one treatment cycle for each preparation, 2 of 21 women conceived after IUI with motile sperm separated in the SpermPrep method. CONCLUSIONS: The SpermPrep method is an improved semen manipulation method for oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia.

Cell Separation↗
PubMed2004

Semen parameters of a semen donor before and after infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1: case report.

Semen samples from a donor who seroconverted for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) during the period that he was donating at our clinic were stored before and after infection. Semen analysis was done on all of these samples before cryopreservation. Retrospectively, both qualitative and quantitative HIV-1 testing was performed on the cryopreserved semen samples to determine the time of primary HIV-1 infection. After HIV-1 infection, semen volume, sperm motility and the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology were reduced compared with the same parameters before HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 RNA was intermittently detectable in semen. HIV-1 infection led to a reduction in semen volume, sperm motility and normal sperm morphology in this donor. However, the clinical significance of these findings is unclear. A longitudinal cohort study on the effects of HIV-1 infection on semen quality is necessary to confirm these findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Semen production by the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). 2. Effect of collection frequency on the production of semen and spermatozoa.

This experiment tested the hypothesis that frequent collection of semen from emus would increase the total output of semen and spermatozoa over less frequent collection. Semen was collected from trained male emus using an artificial cloaca. In Experiment 1, semen was collected from males every 4th d (96-h interval), every 2nd d (48-h interval), and every day (24-h interval) for 16 d. In Experiment 2, semen was collected daily (24-h interval), twice daily (6-h interval), and three times per day (3-h interval) over 6 d. Twice-daily collections yielded twice as much volume and number of spermatozoa than daily collections. Collecting semen three times per day did not yield extra semen, as it adversely affected the libido of males. Twice-daily collections appears to yield the optimum output over the 6 d of this experiment, but longer periods of collection need to be studied.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Association of classical semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymatic activity of semen in ram-lambs.

The objective was to determine relationships among classical semen characteristics, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymatic activity in ram-lamb semen. Fifty-seven ram-lambs were electroejaculated, and routine semen evaluation was conducted (as part of a breeding soundness evaluation). The percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and the percentage of sperm with abnormally high DNA stainability (HDS; immature spermatozoa) were determined by SCSA using the metachromatic properties of acridine orange. Semen was centrifuged at 800 x g for 15 min to separate spermatozoa and seminal plasma and the aliquots were stored at -70 degrees C until analyzed. Lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in seminal plasma and spermatozoa were measured by spectrophotometric assays. The classical semen parameters were negatively related to lipid peroxidation and GPx activity in spermatozoa; motility and morphology were negatively related to %DFI (P < 0.05). Based on Kruskal-Wallis pair-wise comparison of median values among breeding soundness outcome groups, %DFI was lower in the satisfactory group compared to other groups (P < 0.05) and the lipid peroxidation and GPx activity in seminal plasma and spermatozoa were lower in satisfactory and questionable groups (P < 0.05). However, the SOD was lower in the unsatisfactory group (P < 0.05). In summary, classical semen parameters were negatively related to % DFI, lipid peroxidation and GPx activity in ram-lamb spermatozoa and seminal plasma. There were indications that SOD and GPx have crucial protective roles against the toxic effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ram-lamb semen.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Molecular detection of BHV-1 in artificially inoculated semen and in the semen of a latently infected bull treated with dexamethasone.

Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays specific for glycoprotein B (gB) and glycoprotein E (gE) gene detection, respectively, were adopted for the detection of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) in naturally infected bulls. The methods were tested on bovine semen artificially inoculated with BHV-1 and were compared with an optimised virus isolation method. Raw and extended semen samples were diluted in minimal essential medium (MEM) and spiked with equal dose of BHV-1. The extended semen was found to be more toxic for the cells than the raw semen, while the viral DNA could be detected by the PCR method in all tested dilutions of raw and extended semen samples. The sensitivity of both methods was compared also for BHV-1 detection in semen, nasal swabs and leucocytes of a seropositive bull in a different time period after virus reactivation with dexamethasone treatment. The sensitivity of virus detection by the PCR method was equivalent to that of virus isolation in cell culture. However, PCR was shown to be faster and easier to perform and may be a good alternative to virus isolation especially when bovine semen has to be screened for BHV-1 prior to artificial insemination.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Recovery of microorganisms in semen and relationship to semen evaluation.

Semen samples from 120 consecutive unselected men attending our fertility clinic were studied to determine the bacterial isolation rate of semen and its influence on semen quality. Each sample was cultured aerobically, anaerobically, and for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. The following were analyzed for each semen specimen: motility, morphologic features, and number of sperm cells and viscosity of the ejaculate. Four of the 120 samples had negative results; 101 cultures yielded one or more aerobic organisms (the majority with less than 20,000 microorganisms/ml); 26 yielded anaerobic organisms; and 40 yielded U. urealyticum. No single aerobic or anaerobic organism could be related to abnormal semen samples. Only the presence of U. urealyticum correlated significantly with abnormal semen samples (P less than 0.005). The most affected parameters were the number of spermatozoa (P less than 0.005) and motility (P less than 0.05). We conclude that routine aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures of semen are not useful in the clinical evaluation of male infertility. The usefulness of routine screenings for U. urealyticum must be investigated further.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nonsperm cells in human semen and their relationship with semen parameters.

The prevalence and clinical significance of leukocytes (WBC) and immature germ cells in semen is currently a matter of controversy. The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence of leukocytospermia in semen samples from Venezuelan men and its possible effects on sperm parameters. The concentration of WBC and round cells (RC) was evaluated in 118 semen samples from 19 fertile subjects (group 1), 62 infertile patients (group II), and 37 men with varicocele (group III). Semen WBC concentration was assessed by peroxidase assay. Twenty-six (22%) of the total samples had more than 10 WBC/mL semen. Twenty of the infertile men had leukocytospermia (32%) compared with 16% in the fertile group and 8% in the varicocele group. Semen RC concentration was lower than 5 x 10(6)/mL in all groups but, in groups II and III was significantly higher compared with group I. Infertile men had the highest WBC concentration. WBC concentration was negatively correlated with progressive motility, percentage of morphologically normal sperm, and hypoosmotic swelling test in infertile men but not in the varicocele group. In this group a negative correlation was obtained between immature germ cells and normal sperm morphology. The data show that leukcytospermia occurs frequently in infertile patients and is associated with poor semen quality parameters. In contrast, in men with varicocele, the increased number of immature germ cells might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of abnormal spermatozoa.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Chlamydial immunoglobulin IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and semen are not associated with the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA or rRNA in semen from male partners of infertile couples.

The role of Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis in male infertility is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic C. trachomatis infections in male partners of infertile couples, and to compare this result with the presence of chlamydial antibodies in serum and semen. C.trachomatis was detected in five of 50 semen specimens (10%) by either polymerase chain reaction for C. trachomatis DNA or direct DNA probing for C. trachomatis rRNA. There was no association between the detection of C. trachomatis in semen and the presence of chlamydial antibodies in serum or semen. Chlamydial serum antibodies were neither associated with antiserum serum antibodies nor with pathological standard semen parameters. These results indicate that the assessment of chlamydial immunoglobulin IgG and IgA antibodies in serum or semen is of limited use in male infertility work-up, in contrast to its significance in female tubal infertility. The presence of C. trachomatis in semen emphasizes the potential risk of transmission during artificial insemination and other assisted reproductive techniques, and underlines the importance of sensitive direct detection methods in this group of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Beltsville poultry semen extender. 9. Effect of storage temperature on turkey semen held eighteen hours.

Turkey semen was collected, diluted 1:1 with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender, and held for 0 or 18 hr at 5, 15, 25, or 35 C. Changes in spermatozoa motility and sperm numbers were monitored before and after holding. All hens were artificially inseminated (AI) with 250 X 10(6) spermatozoa three times the first week and once weekly thereafter for a total of 20 weeks. No significant differences were observed in candling fertility (85 vs. 82%) of hens AI with unstored semen or semen held at 5 C for 18 hr. Significant depression of fertility levels to 41 and 40% were noted in hens AI with semen stored at 15 and 25 C, respectively. No fertile eggs were obtained from hens AI with semen held at 35 C for 18 hr. Sperm motility scores were not different between the unstored controls and samples held at 5 C (62 vs. 64%). Samples held at 15 and 25 C had motility scores of 40 and 8%, respectively. Samples held at 35 C for 18 hr were immotile. As semen holding temperature increased from 5 to 35 C, sperm numbers decreased during the 18 hr holding period by 11, 16, 28, and 45% of the unstored control. The decrease in sperm numbers during the 18-hr holding period was speculated to be the result of sperm aging which was compounded by sample agitation during storage. The methodology used for determining sperm numbers did not adversely influence the results.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for ABO blood typing of semen by using anti-p 84 monoclonal antibody as a marker of blood group substance in semen.

A blood group substance (BGS), a protein with ABH antigenic activity, was isolated from human seminal plasma and designated as p 84 (Sato, 1995). We have developed a method for determining the ABO blood type of semen by performing a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in which p 84 is captured with an anti-p 84 monoclonal antibody, and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of this method. Although BGS activity was detected in semen sensitively by this method, it was not detected in saliva, urine, breast milk, blood or vaginal secretions. Since the concentration of p 84 in semen was independent of the secretion status, the status can be determined as non-secretor when p 84 but not BGS activity was detected. To determine the stability of BGS activity on p 84, dried stains of semen on filter paper were kept at 4, 26, and 37 degrees C for 8 months, 2 years and 1 month, respectively, and their BGS activities were examined. After 8 months at 4 degrees C, over 60% of the original BGS activity was recovered from the stain. The activity could be detected even from a square as small as 0.25 by 0.25 cm. After 1 month at 37 degrees C and 2 years at 26 degrees C, 31 and 20% of the BGS activity, respectively, still remained. It could be detected from the pieces of 1.0 by 1.0 cm and 0.5 by 0.5 cm squares, kept for 1 month at 37 degrees C and 2 years at 26 degrees C, respectively. Finally, semen was mixed with saliva or blood at varying volumetric ratios and used for the sources of dried stains. The BGS activity of p 84 could be detected in the stains until the ratio between semen and saliva or blood reached 1:4. We conclude that this sandwich ELISA offers a more sensitive and specific method for determining the ABO blood type of semen samples obtained from sexual assault victims than existing methods, such as the conventional absorption-elution and classical hemagglutination-inhibition tests.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1988

Relationships between Brucella ovis semen culture and various semen and serology parameters.

Semen and blood samples from 154 rams from two Montana range flocks (Flock A, vaccinated for Brucella ovis ; Flock B, nonvaccinated) were evaluated to determine the relationship between Brucella ovis (B. ovis ) semen culture results and various semen and blood parameters. All rams utilized in this study exhibited no palpable ram epididymitis lesions. Thirteen and 25.6% of the rams tested in Flocks A and B, respectively, had positive B. ovis semen cultures. Only age of ram and ram condition scores differed (P<0.05) between flocks. No flock by semen culture interactions were detected (P>0.05) for any of the parameters evaluated. Age of ram, ram condition score, and spermatozoa rate from forward movement were unrelated (P>0.05) to B. ovis culture results. Rams with positive B. ovis semen cultures had lower sperm motility (P<0.05), higher percentage of abnormal spermatozoa cells (P<0.05), higher percentage of spermatozoa head abnormalities (P<0.01), lower percentage of live-normal cells (P<0.05), higher incidence of white blood cells in semen (P<0.01) and higher complement fixation (CF) titers (P<0.01).

Journal Article↗